Webinar Description:

Are you ready to explore the thrilling world of global food systems? Join us for an eye-opening webinar where our expert panelists will unveil diverse career paths that span the globe. Gain unique insights from both domestic and international perspectives, and discover opportunities in food systems, cutting-edge research, and international development.

Whether your passion lies in sustainable agriculture, global food security, or innovative food technologies, this session is packed with valuable knowledge. We’ll dive into critical topics like nutrition, climate resilience, and groundbreaking innovations that are shaping the future of food.

Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can make a real impact and drive change on a global scale. Be inspired by leading experts and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about transforming the world through food systems.

Speakers:

• Quintin Gray, Agriculture Advisor, 1890 Universities Foundation

Mr. Gray heads the 1890 Foundation agriculture projects including partnership engagements with Sam’s Club, Cargill, and the MSI Student Working Group project in partnership with Tuft’s University and USAID. He possesses extensive agricultural expertise as a former Agriculture Counselor at U.S. Embassies in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, helping U.S. companies market their food products. After leaving the federal service in 2017, he started Q. Gray and Associates, a consulting company that provides trade promotion and food safety/security services. His clients have included the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, the Southern United States Trade Association, the American Soybean Association, and the American Indian Foods Organization. Also, he is a Lead Instructor for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), advising foreign companies on how to meet FDA food import requirements. He regularly speaks on agricultural trade issues at various conferences, including recently at the National Restaurant Association Show and the U.S. Dairy Export Council’s Halal Workshop in Chicago. He is an Executive Board member of the 2020 Farmer Cooperative. He serves on advisory committees for the Halal Chamber Certification Organization and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s agriculture department. He is fluent in French and is a Tai Chi Instructor.

• Dr. Clytrice Austin-Watson, PhD

Dr. Clytrice Watson is a biology professor and has over twenty-four years of experience in higher education. In addition to being a professor, she has held various leadership positions including Dean, Department Chair, Director of Forensic Biology, and Director of Student Support and Scholarships. She recently served as the Associate Provost, from 2019-2024 and in this role, she managed the Office of Student Success, the Office of Undergraduate Research, Experiential Learning and Honors (URELAH), General Education, the Division of Research, Office of Sponsored Program and Title III. She was instrumental in implementing several academic programs and initiatives to support student success and increasing retention and graduation. As a dedicated member of the faculty and student advocate, she has successfully trained over 30 high school, undergraduate and graduate students in microbiology, food safety and forensic science. In 2017 she completed a 2-year rotation at the National Science Foundation as a Program Officer for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) in the Directorate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education (EDU). Working collaboratively with the research directorates, she was instrumental in increasing the number of underrepresented PIs (Principal Investigators) applying for and successfully securing awards to build research capacity and broadening participation on their campuses. Building upon her collection of diverse experiences in higher education, Dr. Watson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Academic and Leadership Empowerment Group, which provides consultation services for promotion and tenure strategies, academic program and curriculum development, student success, Personality Assessment (DISC) training and public speaking.